Population suppression of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) on table grapes using toxic baits

Abstract To provide alternatives to the use of spraying synthetic insecticides in C. capitata management, was evaluated the effect of “attract and kill” toxic baits on population suppression of C. capitata in three commercial areas producing table grapes. Toxic baits of Gelsura™ (4.5 L ha-1) and Success™ 0.02 CB (4.0 L ha-1) resulted in lower population levels of C. capitata adults in monitoring traps after five sequential applications at weekly intervals during the maturation period of the grapes when compared with control plots with or without insecticidal spray. In addition, plots with Gelsura™ and Success™ 0.02 CB applications showed a significant reduction in damage (%) by C. capitata on grape berries and grape bunches when compared with control plots without or with insecticidal spray. However, when compared with a plot treated by conventional management with sprays of etofenprox (Safety™, 100 g c.p. (commercial product) 100 L-1) and applications of spinosad (Success™ 0.02 CB toxic bait) with a brush, only Gelsura™ (4.5 L ha-1) showed a lower level of damage of grape berries and grape bunches. Toxic baits Gelsura™ (4.5 L ha-1) and Success™ 0.02 CB (4.0 L ha-1) are promising alternatives for the population suppression of C. capitata on table grapes

Richness and structure of ant assemblies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Atlantic forest in southern Brazil

<div><p>ABSTRACT Ant diversity is influenced by the structural complexity of the environment. Ants are thus an ecologically important group due to their potential to serve as indicators of environmental quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate ant diversity in areas with different land use histories and thus, within different stages of regeneration in the Permanent Preservation Area of the Foz do Chapecó Hydroelectric Plant reservoir. Ant assemblies among sample sites were compared using rarefaction analysis, and estimated richness, frequency of occurrence, and relative abundance were calculated. Associations between species and sample sites were evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). We identified 55 species in total from 24 genera, distributed among seven subfamilies. Eight species had positive associations with sample sites. Estimates indicated that ant richness may be up to 21.4% greater than that observed. This study presents an inventory of species capable of colonizing environments undergoing natural regeneration processes, and aids our understanding of ecological recovery dynamics in protected areas near hydroelectric plant reservoirs southern Brazil.</p></div

Sequential sampling plan for fruit fly species of the Genus Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) in guava orchards

Abstract This study aimed to elaborate a sequential sampling plan for Anastrepha species in commercial orchards of guava Psidium guajava Novo Milênio cultivar. Samplings were carried out in three orchards in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Fruit flies were sampled for 23 weeks. Data were subjected to the sequential probability ratio test. We adopted the mean of 0.3 Anastrepha individuals for the safety level and 0.7 for the control level and the observed frequency was adjusted to the negative binomial expected frequency (Bn) for the equation of the line. The condition of adopting a control method recommended by S1 = 6.5554 + 0.5362n was observed in the upper line. In turn, the lower line, which does not require the use of a control method, is defined by So = -2.8229 + 0.5362n. The sequential sampling plan predicted the expected maximum number of 37 sampling units to decide whether or not to use control method(s). This sequential plan was defined with mean number of 0.54 adults for each McPhail trap unit (sample). The sequential plan generated is unprecedented and will contribute to the rapid and safe decision making in the control of Anastrepha species of economic importance in guava farming

Viabilidade econômica, desempenho e características de carcaça de garrotes em confinamento alimentados com dietas contendo silagem de capins tanzânia ou marandu ou silagem de milho Economical viability, performance, and carcass characteristics of confined steers fed palisadegrass silage, tanzaniagrass silage or corn silage

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho, as características de carcaça e a viabilidade econômica do confinamento de bovinos alimentados com silagem dos capins tanzânia ou marandu, com 0 e 10% de polpa cítrica peletizada (PCP), em comparação à silagem de milho. Foram utilizados silos de superfície (12 &times; 5 &times; 1 m) como silos experimentais. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com oito tratamentos (dietas) e seis repetições (animais). As dietas experimentais foram formuladas com os capins tanzânia ou marandu, acrescidos ou não de 10% de PCP, em comparação à silagem de milho e de forma a permitir ganhos de 1,0 e 1,2 kg/dia, respectivamente. Os animais alimentados com as dietas com silagem de capim-marandu e 10% de PCP formuladas para ganhos de peso de 1,0 e 1,2 kg/dia, apresentaram os maiores consumos de MS. Não houve diferença significativa no ganho de peso vivo, no peso de carcaça quente, no rendimento de carcaça, no ganho de carcaça, na espessura de gordura e na área de olho-de-lombo. A taxa de remuneração do capital e a taxa interna de retorno foram maiores nos animais alimentados com as dietas contendo silagem de milho.<br>The experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics, and the economical viability of a steer feedlot fed Tanzania and Marandu grass silage, with 0% and 10% of pelleted citrus pulp (PCP), compared with corn silage. Experimental surface silos (12 &times; 5 &times; 1 m) were used. The data were analyzed according to a completely randomized experimental design with eight treatments (diets) and six replications (animals). The experimental diets were formulated using Tanzania or Marandu grass silages, with or without addition 10% of PCP, in comparison with corn silage diets, in order to allow body weight gain of 1.0 and 1.2 kg/day, respectively. Animals that received the diets with Marandu grass silage with 10% of PCP and formulated for gain of 1.0 and 1.2 kg/day, presented the highest DM intake. There was no significant difference in the variables live weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass gain, fat thickness, and ribeye area. Capital remuneration rate and the internal rate of return were highest on the animals fed corn silage diets

Cysticercosis in experimentally and naturally infected pigs: parasitological and immunological diagnosis

Our objective was to evaluate the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis by examining "ante mortem" (inspection of the tongue), "post mortem" (inspection and detailed necropsy) and ELISA for research in serum of antibodies (Ab-ELISA) and antigens (Ag-ELISA). Seven (7) pigs were experimentally infected orally with eggs of Taenia solium and another 10 were naturally infected. In the pigs experimentally infected, inspection of the tongue was negative in all animals, in the routine inspection detailed necropsy and cysticercis were identified in all of them. In pigs with heavy natural infection, inspection of the tongue identified cysticerci in two (20%), while at inspection with necropsy the parasites were identified in large quantities in all animals. In ELISA for antibody search (Ab-ELISA) TS-14 recombinant protein was used, and in search for antigen (Ag-ELISA) a monoclonal antibody against this protein. In animals experimentally infected, blood was collected weekly for 140 days. The Ab-ELISA identified an increase in titers of antibody to cysticerci 21 days after infection, and at the end of the experimental period six animals (86%) were positive to the test. The search for circulating antigens (Ag-ELISA) was positive in two pigs 28 to 91 days after infection. All naturally infected pigs were positive for Ag-ELISA and Ab-ELISA. The search for antibodies and antigens by ELISA in serum from 30 pigs of a local farm and without history of cysticercosis was negative. Thus, the use of TS-14 antigen in ELISA test (Ab-ELISA) can be useful for the diagnosis of cysticercosis in pigs with low infection